Radiator cap



Aug. 17, 1926. 1,596,115

' H- 'S. PARDEE RADIATOR CAP I Filed May s, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I H. S. PARDEE RADIATOR CAP Filed May 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CII - seinbly 5W F ig. 6is'a cross section showing the appli- Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE.

HARVEY s; Par-runner nAvimA, rumors, ASSIGNOR rename EVANS'PARDEE, or

BAVINIA, ILLINOIS.

RADIATOR CAI.

Application= filed May 3,

to radiator capsfor use on'automobile radiator necks or filler tubes.

Aanongthe several= objects of the invention may be noted the provision of atheft proof radiator cap which may be readily opened and closed under all conditionso-f service, requiring only the simplestmovements for so opening or closing; the provision of an exceedinglycompact arrangement of but few parts having no outside. mechanical protuberances, in order to obviate interference with other parts of an automobile; the provisionof a cap which may be used without the. theft-proof features, if desired; the provision of a cap which may be readily opened without the use of a hinge and hinge pin arrangement; the provision of a .cap which imay be installed withoutthe aid of special tools; one which is provided with efficient means for sealing against leakage; the provision of a construction whichmay be economically fabricated and assembled; and 1' the provision of a cap mechanism which lends itself to a simple, compactand graceful appearance outwardly. Other objects.

will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. I

This invention accordingly comprises the features ofconstruction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts, which are exemplified in the description hereinafter in connection with the accompanying draw ings, and the scope of the application of which. will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings,;in which are illustrated two of various possible embodiments of the invention-: U I

Fig. 1 is a crosssection showing thecap and its locking features in closed position, certain parts being shown in full;.

Fig. 2 is a view similar toFig. 1'- showing the. cap in open position, certain parts being show-11in full;

Fig. 3 is aplan View of Fig. 4 I

Fig. iis a vertical section taken on line 4+4 of Fig, 3- and shows an adapter as-- Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing an adapter for use on an internally threaded filler tube, and shows certain parts infull; and 7 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

1926.- Serial mi. 106,218.

cation' of: the cap without its locking fear .tures.

Similar reference characters indicate cor-' responding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. W

lgteferring now moreparticularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated at numeral 1 a radiator neckor filler tube of the externally thread.- ed type. The numeral 3 designates agtem peratureindicator or other instrument or ornament which is characterized by having, a

stem- 5 projecting down into the'cap to be described, and; generally into-the-neck 1, as V illustrated. v

The cap comprises a which is abutted by ashoulder 9 of; said instrument 3. This-body 7 isprovided with an internal thread 11, which thread, however, is not made use of in the assemblies- An adapter bushing; 13 is internally body 7, the top of threaded to fit on the top of the radiator neck 1. The upper portionof this adapter is preferably always of the same size and form; The lower threaded portion thereof varies in diameter and thread pitch, in order to be applicable to threads of'various radiator necks, which differ in diameter and thread characteristics.

At numeral 15 is designated a -tube threaded internally to-fit the stem 5. The upper end ofv this tube 1'5 seats in a recess 17- formed in the top'of the body 7; By screwing the tube 15- in place oni'the stem 5, it serves to centerthe instrumentfi and to-securely fasten it to the said body. The'lower end of saidtube- 1 has a locking'bead; 19 integrally formed therewitlu Thisfbea d- 19'has-dependingtherefrom a tubular sleeve 21 driven into a lower recess 23 thereof. The

tube .21 may then be soldered intosa-id recess 23. The tubes-15,21 and the bead 19- form a unit.

Thelower' tube 21- is partially closed i112 at its lower end to form a spherical socket2 l forenga'ginga ball 25 which is; fastened to then-upper end ofa rod 27.- Therod is preferably riveted to theball- 25, and ispreferably riveted atits lower endto another similar ball The: ball 25 is riveted to the rod befoire the tube 21- is soldered in the- -recess 23, and the ball 29 is riveted thereto after a member 31 (to be described-)- has been slipped over the rod.

The bead: 19 is lockedto thestem 5- by a set screw 33 which has anundercut be tween the head and the body so that after the set screw is inserted as far as it will go, the head may be readily twisted oil with a screw driver, thus preventing removal without dither. ty. 0n the upper side of the head 19 is 1 rubber disc 35 held in contact with the head by a washer 37 which is forced on to a shoulder 39 of the bead with a drive tit. This disc 35 is normally pressed intoclosecontact all around with the top seat 41 on the adapter 13 by the cushioning effect of a rubber ring 43. This ring 43 is cemented to the disc 35 and bears against a shoulder in the body 7.

The adapter 13 has a slot 47 formed around the inner circumference near the top, and in this slot is placed spring ring 48 which is expanded when the bead 1 passes downwardly through it, and closes again on an upper conical surface 49 of the bead, thus holding said bead down in normal-closed position. .The lower surface 51 of the bead 19 is, also conically formed for purposes of we'dging into the ring upon descent. The middle of the adapter 13 is provided with inwardly projecting lugs 53 and 55, and to these is attached by screws the said member 31 which has formed on its "lower extremity an inverted spherical socket 57 which'is adapted to engage the ball 29 on the lower end of the rod27 when the cap is fully open. This construction, comprising a universal swivel, permits the cap to be opened in any desired direction. This is of importance, in so far as the angular position of the adapter in respect to the car cannot ordinarily be controlled. (The adapter 13 is go, finally seating on the top edge of the radiator neck). Likewise the bead 19 cannot ordinarily be controlled in its angular position with respect to the instrument 3 since'it is screwed up against a stop. A universal swivel is therefore desirable in order topermit the instrument 3 to be correctly aligned-with the car when the cap is closed and all of the members are screwed tightly into normal position.v The length'ot the rod 27 is such that it permits the cap body 7 to be lifted and swung out of way for filling-theradiatorand is no longer than necessary for this purpose (Fig. 2). 7

'The rod 27 passes loosely'through an opening 59 formed through the socket 57. It may be seen from Figs. 3 and 4 that the member 31 comprises a bridge portion 61, the bent legs 63 of which are screwed to the said lugs 53 and 55, as described. The

"bridge 61 has the inverted socket 57 formed therewith. Fig. 3 also shows the opening 65 of the split ring 48.

For locking purposes the adapter 13 is provided with another inwardly projecting lug 67 which carries a set screw 69 adapted screwed down as far as it will to screw against the neckl. Thisset screw locks'the adapter 13 to the'neck 1 and has an undercut permitting the head to be readily twisted 01f, thereby inhibiting removalby unscrewing. Fig. 2 shows how a hole 71 is provided in the tube 21 for admitting steam or vapor to the stem 5 of the temperature indicator.

Certain features'of this invention are particularly advantageous from the standpoint of merchandising: I

First, the body of the cap, which is the most expensive part, may be universal for all cars and a relatively smallstock will suffice a dealer for making any sale. I Previously it has usually been necessary for a dealer to carry in stock complete caps for each car having a distinctive thread size.

Second, the body of the cap can be screwed directly on to car-shaving the same size of thread as the inside thread of the body 7 or by means of reducing bushings any other size of neck may be made to lit.

In this-case, the locking feature and easylilling feature are dispensed with, the cap being preferably sold at a reduced price under that condition; Fig. 6 illustrates how the body 7 is applied directly to the neck 1 without the use of the easy filling or locking elements. In this case the stem 5 is held to the body 7 with the instrument 3 by means of a conventional nut 73.

Third, dealers stocks consist of three elements, namely, (1) the body 7; (2) the anchoring or looking assembly of members 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 31, 35 and 43; and (3) the adapter assembly 13, 47, 48, 61 and 69. The adapter 13 is the only member that varies in size and, as here constructed, iseconomically constructed, and dealers may carry a large stock of the adapters at relatively little investment, and a comparatively small stock of the locking assemblies and bodies, which have a higher unit cost.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of adapter 75 which also carries the ring 48 and the member 31 but which is provided with external threads for screwing on internally threaded necks 1. The former overreaching lug 67 is replaced by a lug 77 for a locking set screw 79 having a head 81 adapted to b twisted olf. In this modified case the internally threaded body 7 cannot be screwed directly to the neck 1.

In the operation of the locking form of the cap, it may be noted that the only movement necessary for closing the cap is to approximately center it over the rounded edge of the adapter 13, and then depress it. This forces the bead 19 through the split ring 48. Thereafter the tendency of the ring is to contract on the surface 49, thereby drawing the body assembly to a seat between the sealing gasket49 and the upper edge 41 of the adapter 13. The ring 48 and bead 19 provide a latch for the cap. In order to open the cap for filling, it is only necessary to lift the body 7 so that the bead 19 passes out of the ring 48. The cap is thus unlatched and may then be laid sidewardly as shown in Fig. 2. It cannot beleft and forgotten inadvertently, nor can it be stolen. Friction between the gasket 35 and the adapter holds the body assembly in align ment with respect to the axis of the vehicle. Friction between the ring 48, and its groove 47 and bead 19 also aids this effect.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above construction without cleparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not ina limiting sense.

I claim 1. A radiator cap comprising an adapter having an inwardly formed member, a body portion adapted to telescope with the adapter, a swiveling assembly including a bridge member detachably joined to said inwardly formed member, and another portion detachably fastened to the body whereby the body is held captive to the adapter but is universally movable with respect thereto.

2. A radiator cap comprising an adapter having an inwardly formed member, a body portion adapted to telescope with the adapter, aswiveling assembly including a bridge member detachably joined to said inwardly 7 formed member, and another portion detachably fastened to the body whereby the body isheld captive to the adapter but is universally movable with respect thereto, and means for latching the body to the adapter when telescopically pressed thereto.

3. A radiator cap comprising an'adapter having an inwardly formed member, a body portion adapted to telescope with the adapter, a swiveling assembly including a member joined to said inwardly formed member, and another portion secured to the body whereby the body is held captive to the adapter but is universally movable with respect thereto.

4. A radiator cap comprising an adapter having an inwardly formed member, a body portion adapted to telescope with the adapter, a swiveling assembly including a member joined to said inwardly formed member, and another portion secured to the body whereby the body is held captive to the adapter but is universally movable with respect thereto, and means for latching the body to the adapter when telescopically pressed thereto.

5. A radiator cap comprising an adapter having inwardly projecting lugs, means for securing the adapter to a radiator neck,-a body portion adapted to telescopewith said adapter for purposes of closing the radiator neck, a locking assembly including a bridge member depending from said lugs and adapt ed tobe secured thereto, a tubular member secured to said body portion and having a bead portion, a tubular sleeve depending from said tubular member, a swiveling member having a universal connection with said tubular sleeve and a swiveling and lostmotion connection with said bridge member, and cooperative latching means on said tubular member and said adapter and including said bead portion, whereby the body is latched to the adapter when telescopically pressed-thereto.

6. A radiator cap comprising an adapter, means for securing the adapter to a radiator neck and locking it thereto, a body portion adapted to telescope with said adapter for purposes of closing the radiator neck, means for latching the body to the adapter when telescopically pressed thereto, a looking assembly including a bridge member fastened to said adapter in such a manner as not to be reached for unfastening when the adapter is lockedto the radiator neck, a portion of said latching means fastened to said body and comprising one element of said locking assembly, and a swiveling member having a universal connection with said portion fastened to the body and a swiveling and lostmotion connection with said bridge portion, whereby the body may be opened from the adapter and have a complete circular motion about the rim of the adapter when in maximum open position.

7. A radiator cap'comprising an adapter, means for permanently locking said adapter to a radiator neck, a body portion adapted to engage said adapter to close it, a locking assembly including a member fastened to said adapter, means for preventing access to the fastening of said member when the adapter is in locked position on said radiator neck, amember fastened to said body and comprising one element of said looking assembly, and a swiveling member having a universal connection with said member fastened to the body and a swiveling and lostmotion connection with said bridge portion, whereby the body may be opened and have complete circular motion about the rim of the adapter when said body is in maximum open position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 30th day of April, 1926.

HARVEY S. PARDEE. 

